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Aims This paper aims to identify the frequency and nature of evidence–practice gaps in the initial neuro‐protective nursing care of patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury provided by Thai trauma nurses. Background Little is known about how Thai trauma nurses use evidence‐based practice when providing initial neuro‐protective nursing care to patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. Design A mixed methods design was used to conduct this study. Methods Data were collected from January to March 2017 using observations and audits of the clinical care of 22 patients by 35 nurses during the first 4 h of admission to trauma ward. The study site was a regional hospital in Southern Thailand. Results The major evidence–practice gaps identified were related to oxygen and carbon dioxide monitoring and targets, mean arterial pressure and systolic blood pressure targets and management of increased intracranial pressure through patient positioning and pain and agitation management. Conclusion There were evidence–practice gaps in initial neuro‐protective nursing care provided by Thai trauma nurses that need to be addressed to improve the safety and quality of care for Thai patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury.

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Thai trauma nurses play a vital role in neuroprotective nursing care of patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. Nurses' knowledge of the evidence underpinning initial neuroprotective nursing care vital to safe and high‐quality patient care. However, the current state of knowledge of Thai trauma nurses is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated Thai nurses' knowledge of neuroprotective nursing care of patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. Data were collected by a survey, comprising a section on participant characteristics and series of multiple‐choice questions. All registered nurses (n = 22) and nursing assistants (n = 13) from the trauma ward of a regional Thai hospital were invited to participate: the response rate was 100%. Participants had limited knowledge of carbon dioxide monitoring; causes and implications of hypercapnia; mean arterial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure targets; management of sedatives and analgesics; and management of hyperthermia. Improving their knowledge focusing on knowledge deficits through educational training and implementation of evidence‐based practice is essential to improve the safety and quality of care for Thai patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury.